Eryngium leavenworthii

Eryngium leavenworthii Torr. & A. Gray

Leavenworth's eryngo, Eryngo, False purple thistle

Synonym(s):

Leavenworth’s eryngo is a prickly, 20-40 in. annual with a leafy stem, broadly branched in the upper portion. Almost the entire plant has some shade of purple. Flowers are minute, purple, and mingled with small, spiny bracts in an elongated, terminal, head-like cluster. These are subtended by conspicuous spiny-tipped bracts. The leaves are deeply lobed, each segment edged and tipped with stiff spines. A tuft of small, rigid, spiny leaves grows out of the top of the flower head. It is desirable to wear a thick pair of gloves if one cuts the flowers.

The eryngos are not true thistles and are often confused with thistles, due to similarity in both appearance and habitat preference. Splashing fields a brilliant purple, it provides an excellent source for late summer and early fall color.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds Description: Although not widely available commercially, E. leavenworthii is easy to establish by planting seed in fall and spring. Seed germinates in 5-10 days at 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. For best results, plant seed immediately after harvesting.

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations: